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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 days is the average amount of paid time off for private sector employees who have completed one year of work. But that doesn’t mean that everyone is entitled to them.
The truth is, the country has no national policy guaranteeing workers paid annual leave as it all depends on the private employees. In fact, often 10 public holidays in the US come without pay, which stands as a stark contrast with more than 30 days allotted vacation time to workers in Europe.
Having that in mind, it should be only fair for workers to use their paid time off if they’re lucky enough to be entitled to some. But one Twitter user caused a heated debate with a very questionable “tip for younger folks in the workforce.” @privilegelog has stated that when you take PTO, you should minimize your impact on the team and make sure it won’t cause any disruption. The author went as far as claiming that you gotta face the fact that there are times “you shouldn’t take PTO.”
As you can imagine, the controversial statement caused quite a fair share of backlash on Twitter as many people joined to comment on what’s been dubbed “the worst advice ever.”
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Jyri Hakola 4 years ago
6. Move to country where it's understood that healthy and well rested workforce is an asset.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
If your manager/boss can't run things without you ----- take their job!
Jaybird3939 4 years ago
I was a manager. I knew how to do most jobs in the office, except for a couple that needed specific training. It wasn't to take over someone's job, it was because I could do that job if the person has something unexpected come up OR WANTED TO TAKE THEIR PTO. No person should deny themselves the time they earned because it might be inconvenient for someone else. You tell them to have fun and not think about what's happening at the office (or whatever).
H Edwards 4 years ago
That's ridiculous. If that were the case then nobody could ever get any time off.
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#2
Tracey Hirt 4 years ago (edited)
I spent way too many years working for an employer who expected me to work while I was deathly ill if I couldn’t cover my shift. I now work for an employer who has told me that my vacation hours were in danger of expiring, so maybe I should take a week off next month, or did I want to leave early every day for the next few weeks instead?
Tereza Cervenakova 2 years ago
Never take the second option. One longer period of work will do you much more good (both mentaly and physicaly) than leaving hour early for few weeks. That hour just dissapears and you will be just as tired and burnt down as before...
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Ann Michaels 4 years ago
People need a break. They are better employees. Read about a company. Had their employees work 10 hours a day for 4 day and took off 3 days. Their output improved and the company output zoomed to 60% more.
#3
As we’re rolling into the spring, workers across the US are starting to think of getting some well-earned time off. But only a handful of people are able to do so since the federal law does not provide for vacation pay. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations, sick time, or holidays. It leaves American employees without entitlement to paid time off from work, which would be unimaginable in the rest of the world.
#4
Gogamash 4 years ago
Minimum is 24 (work)days in Germany guaranteed by law. Sick leave is also not unlimited, but you can be (paid) sick days up to 72 weeks, so this is dimensions better than eg in the US
Laura Würker 4 years ago
Yes, for 6 weeks the employer pays the full salary and from the 7th week the health insurance company pays approx. 67% of the salary.
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DC 4 years ago
I can confirm this. Paid sick leave is mandatory since forever, and although I only once had to take it, I can't even understand why any company or society would deprive itself of it - want sick people at your office, your garage? Why? To make mistakes, to work less, to spread diseases? Not only Corona, but whatever hasn't learned that paid sick leave is right, just right (in very rare cases it might be different - but then, again, the cases it is right outweigh them a few times...), deserves bankruptcy.
Tereza Cervenakova 2 years ago
Yeah, in Czechia we have 20 days a year by law, and more and more employers offers 25 or even 30 days a year. I have 25 days of pto per year, and rest assure that i will use every single one of them...
Euni Hinojosa 4 years ago
In the U.S. we are threatened with our jobs. You either work, take vacation, or look for another job while on vacation. It sucks. I knew people who worked themselves to death. Literally. They worked until they died. I swore I would never let myself die for a job.
Olivier Spanhove 4 years ago
No, this is the internet. American rules don't apply to other countries.
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According to Lonnie Golden, a labor economist at Penn State, American workers tend to say that making more money is a higher priority than having access to more paid time off, unlike in Europe, where workers rate having more time off work as more important than making more money. In general, he argues, “there’s true economic need for money to come first in America, and time second.”
#7
Hans 4 years ago
It is fascinating that paychecks still exist anywhere in the world. (Transfer directly to the account, anything else is a nuisance.)
Bender Bending Rodríguez 4 years ago (edited)
Ok guys what Hans is saying is not too off the chart. I am in banking and I can tell you there are many people who still prefer physical paper check over direct deposit. Reasons vary from banks bad to I like to feel my check to I don't want government to know my business. Yes, I know, what you're thinking. Don't look for logic in that thought process. It is what it is. This happens because companies offer choice of check or DD. They have to because many folks still don't own a bank account.
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#9
Sandra Givens 4 years ago
Excuse me, but as an older "boomer" worker, almost all the people in charge of my department and agency were YOUNGER than I was, some in their 20s. They were the ones calling us on our days off because they "just need to ask a question" that took half an hour of my time for free, They also refused to consider any information or advice offered based on my or other older workers years of experience with the organization and target audiences, leading to expensive and time-consuming mistakes that made us all look bad. So take your "boomer' reference and stuff it up your smug butt.
Karen Rice-Leroux 4 years ago
Sandra...unknot the panties. Every generation, since ours has a negative descriptor; although, the Gen X'ers seemed to be, relatively, immune. Millennials are pretty hard hit by stereotypes; I have also worked with younger team members, Millenials, and found them to be hardworking, balanced and credits to the team. Every generation has an annoying minority and frankly, you are playing into the Boomer stereotype.
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Terri Williams 4 years ago
Really? I'm a boomer and I've NEVER told anyone to not take their PTO. You've earned it and you take it! I worked at a place where your PTO was not rolled over to the new fiscal year. Didn't take it, too bad, it's gone now and sucks to be you. That remark shows you know nothing about Boomers.
Marty BlackEagle-Carl 4 years ago
no, not boomer, we love out vacays, must be one of those gen-xers
Moreover, “We shy away from having a national paid vacation standard, while there are more and more low-wage jobs that aren’t covered by private employer policies. And, because of our bias toward work, the salaried people who do have paid vacation, but don’t feel at liberty to use it, wind up leaving it on the table.” This is something that he calls a “perfect storm.”
#11
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
"If you're indispensable, you're also un-promotable". Start looking for another job.
#12
N G 4 years ago
No, you're missing the point. It's not taking away resources like donuts, it's taking money out of the pockets of the Shareholders and CEO bonuses! Don't you understand how corporations work?! It's all about the owners, not the workers (/s but only partly)
Meanwhile, an ever-growing body of research has continually shown that taking time off offers fundamental mental and physical benefits. Overall, it offers greater life satisfaction by improving work-life balance, decreasing time pressure, and allowing for better mental health. Experiences on vacation also have long-lasting effects and can even make us see past experiences, although unpleasant, in a different, more positive light.
#14
Linda Cowley, auntriarch 4 years ago
Not just America. Also applies to public services in UK which are so understaffed and underfunded that we find ourselves thinking like that
Mark Howell 4 years ago
Also applies increasingly to UK private sector, unpaid overtime is a favorite with the carrot of time lieu that never appears.
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Hollysmom 4 years ago
america is not even close to the utopia they try to portray. (Trust me, I'm an american). I don't take offense
Bender Bending Rodríguez 4 years ago
Same. I am also USAian and I share your sentiment. If someone is going to go "wHy dON't YOu LeaVE iF iT's So baD OuT HErE?" If I had means to leave this country, I'd do it in a heart beat.
Load More Replies... Wednesday 4 years ago
I like this country and it has been fairly good until recently - now, ready for a bloodless revolution - starting with equal rights and ending with equitable working conditions and healthcare and education become very very affordable in the middle there... also - keep your religion out of my vagina.
Beth Norrod 4 years ago
The problem is that other countries have laws regarding how companies treat their employees,while here in the US we just have to hope we can get a job that treats us decently. I've put in over 20 years at my job, we have no personal days or sick days, and terrible insurance. We only get 5 days a year PTO and I've not taken a day in 7 years. It doesn't roll over or build up, so I lose them every year. I cover for others when they take PTO, which means double shifts of 18-22 hrs. We are allowed to call in 6 days a year before a write up, after that a doctor's note is required for anymore call ins. I haven't missed a day since my grandmother passed 4 years ago. We're essential workers and during the worst of the pandemic, I worked 20 hrs a day, 5 days a week for over 4 months because we were so short handed. Yes, I could have said no, but we would have lost contracts and I wouldn't have been working at all. This is not uncommon where I live.
Load More Replies... #15
Marilyn Ransberry 4 years ago
So if you took what you deserve they would have to hire someone who can also do it if needed.
Marty BlackEagle-Carl 4 years ago
she should of had a trained back up, if you have only one person that can do a job that works for you, thats bad planning.
Load More Replies... #16
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
For every dead working-age person, there's 4--5 long-term disabled with their internal organs shot ---- with nobody knowing yet whether most will recover in a few months, or never, or other accumulating things will collapse.
Load More Replies... #17
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
That's the first thing my dad told me when I started working!!! " Today you're indispensable because you are working unpaid overtime, tomorrow you're fired for taking your lunch break."
#18
E B 4 years ago
Also complaining about having a hard time hiring people for crap wages and no benefits!
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
Also, when they spell out the horrible terms & conditions and offer you this job but you refuse, you get reported and your benefits get cut. So you're trapped, forced to take the first job however bad.
Load More Replies... Sandra Givens 4 years ago
I think people would understand IF they had been treated well pre-pandemic AND they could see the restaurant management trying to help workers or find ways to keep open even part time. But if they were treated as disposable beforehand and paid crap wages with no benefits, your workers are permanently gone, and that's just what you deserve.
#19
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Some people can afford to work to live, other people need to live to work to live.
#20
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
The team has proven that you're the key to their succes, which needs to be rewarded with a raise and a bonus. In reality you will be written down for a lack of loyalty and work ethos.
#22
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Has also to do with the fact that European governments actively fought exploitation by legislating strict labor laws and securing employees rights like pregnancy leave, no randomly firing people without a good reason, safety rules on the job and a maximum of hours someone is allowed to work per week.
Marilyn Ransberry 4 years ago
It is all in how they vote. They are terrified of any social programs because they think that is socialism.
#23
Karen Lyon 4 years ago
He is absolutely right. No matter what your opinions on unions might be the historical fact is that people literally fought and died so that all of us had to right to have days off, and reasonable work week, among other things. We forget that to our peril.
#25
Ellen Andrew C. 4 years ago
It's a stereotypical bully jock technique where the nerd in question is held by their ankles with their head dunked in the toilet while it flushes.
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#29
Carey Cole 4 years ago
The absolute worse advice...ever. I have been in the IT industry since 1993. My wife has photos of our vacations, with me in the background either on my phone or on my laptop. We are a blended family and have six kids between the two of us. I have missed out on the vast majority of my kid's childhoods. I have missed out on precious time with my family because I was afraid of losing my job at the time. I worked for 4 days while on my honeymoon. Let me just tell everyone.... Your spouse WILL remember that and you will gain nothing from it. I worked for three different companies (one for big pharma) and I was expected to be available 24/7, 365 days a year. I am finally (at 48 years old), working for an awesome company. My manager will force us to take time off if we go too long without a break. In IT, there will always be after-hours work, but he recognizes it and plans for all of us to have our time given back to us. I cannot regain lost time, but I can live now.
#30
Ann Abdelzaher 3 years ago
While I agree that taking PTO is necessary I also must say that sometimes you do have to be careful when you take it off. I am an eLearning Specialist at a University and most of the time taking PTO isn't a problem, there are only two times I am cautious about taking PTO the first and last two weeks of a semester... I am the only person in my position and if I am not here some instructors and therefore some students might have problems completing their course for the semester. Don't get me wrong I have no problem using my PTO.
#31
#43
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Employees do not have to plan coverage. That's the responsibility of the employer / manager. You are a fool when you take it upon you to find a substitute when you take PTO. What do you do when you can't find someone to cover for you? Not take your PTO? F.U.C.K, N.O!!!
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What do you think ?
.gas. 4 years ago
Funny. Thankfully, my boss has the exact opposite attitude. She said that, even if we have "no place to go," and "there's so much going on," we need to take time off to re-charge. She says it's actually a good thing, better for our own mental health, and better for the company. Maybe bragging, but she's a great boss, and this is one of the many reasons why.
Ivy Ruonakoski 4 years ago
That's a great vacation in my eyes, just staying at home. Bliss!
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Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Two things; 1) it’s more professional and just plain considerate to let your team know when your PTO is coming up, barring unforeseen emergencies of course, and 2) make sure your own part of the project is not only up to date but as complete as possible, maybe even done somewhat ahead if you can, so you’re not holding the whole thing up or making your teammates do your work. However, NEITHER of those things should keep you from taking either your well-earned planned time off, or being able to take unplanned time off to deal with an unexpected emergency. Your job is not, and never should be, your whole life. Because, the very millisecond you retire and walk out the door with your box of stuff, the company will have already forgotten you. If you never took the time to nourish your personal life, relationships, and interests, you leave yourself with potential decades of empty loneliness. At the time in life when you will increasingly come to depend on that reliable support system.
Brian Irby 4 years ago
This is true. I don't think the guy was saying not to take any time off ever, just to be considerate of team members. I'm shocked (and will probably get severely voted down) that people had such a negative reaction to this post.
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AndyR 4 years ago
It makes me realise how badly off workers are in the USA. I'm lucky enough to get 30 days, plus bank holidays, and to work somewhere where we're encouraged to use all our leave. I've worked for firms who expected you to with crazy hours and for junior staff not to take leave. In my experience, the long term damage this approach does to your health and relationships isn't worth it.
Terka Červeňáková 4 years ago
Exactly. In m country the mandatory pto set by a law Is 20 days per year, but a lot of conpanies (including the one i work for) offers 25 days per year. And you Are OBLIGATED to use them in said year. We usually write our pto demands into calendar that hangs on the wall, so everybody knows when you plan to be away... It's great system
Load More Replies...
Deborah B 4 years ago
There is one caveat to the responses to this: In some industries there will be a 'Busy Season' and you cannot shedule holiday in the busy season. In accounting, it's the two months running up to tax day. If it is an issue for your job, it should be a formal policy. Doesn't apply to sick leave and emergency leave, of course. I did audits, and had a manager who was very clear about sick leave. "This is our busy season. It's all hands, everyone does overtime, no holidays will be approved! So, if you are sick, I expect you to stay at home! If you think you might be well enough to work, then call in and work remotely, but Stay. At. Home! We do not want your germs. This is our busy season. We cannot have a whole audit team off sick. So if you are sick: Stay Home!"
Mimi777 4 years ago
A few years ago when I was at my old job I took 2 weeks off because I had surgery and needed to recover. My boss texted me 2 days after, asking if I could come back in soon that they really needed me. Another few days later he asked the same thing. I ended up coming in after only a week of being off because he made me feel so guilty for letting my team down and how they really needed me. I was still recovering. I should have known better.
Ryan-James O'Driscoll 4 years ago
I try to be considerate, and not book time off when I know it is unusually important that I am at work, but those situations are few and far between. Generally I just take it when I want it because that's what it is for.
Wilf 4 years ago
Never knew this 'don't take your leave entitlement' was a real thing until recently. I work in a publishing company in the UK and I recently took line management of a couple of people in the USA office. One of them had BOTH her parents go to hospital with Covid and she asked me whether she could take her entire annual PTO off to care for them when they got out- all three weeks of it. I said "absolutely not- you're not using your leave to care for sick parents- I'll sign you off on compassionate leave and you take as long as you need." She basically didn't understand what I was saying. She didn't know compassionate leave was a thing. She even asked me whether she would get paid for the time off! The US is positively barbaric when it comes to employment practices.
Death Metal Kitty 4 years ago
"How am I always the bad guy?" - If you have to ask that, you have to take a long hard look at the person you are.
Treessimontrees 4 years ago
Unlimited vacation is a relatively new thing which is awful. Take as much time as you want. But you know full well if you do it's frowned upon, or you're seen as not needed if you can take time off. People end up taking far less time than they would if they were given 20-25 days to use. Companies know this.
James016 4 years ago
When booking PTO I have a couple of understandings, book it as far in advance as possible and try not have my PTO clash with my manager's. One of us has to be around so we cant take time off at the same time. This does not include medical/family emergencies etc. Nothing unreasonable
.gas. 4 years ago
Funny. Thankfully, my boss has the exact opposite attitude. She said that, even if we have "no place to go," and "there's so much going on," we need to take time off to re-charge. She says it's actually a good thing, better for our own mental health, and better for the company. Maybe bragging, but she's a great boss, and this is one of the many reasons why.
Ivy Ruonakoski 4 years ago
That's a great vacation in my eyes, just staying at home. Bliss!
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Two things; 1) it’s more professional and just plain considerate to let your team know when your PTO is coming up, barring unforeseen emergencies of course, and 2) make sure your own part of the project is not only up to date but as complete as possible, maybe even done somewhat ahead if you can, so you’re not holding the whole thing up or making your teammates do your work. However, NEITHER of those things should keep you from taking either your well-earned planned time off, or being able to take unplanned time off to deal with an unexpected emergency. Your job is not, and never should be, your whole life. Because, the very millisecond you retire and walk out the door with your box of stuff, the company will have already forgotten you. If you never took the time to nourish your personal life, relationships, and interests, you leave yourself with potential decades of empty loneliness. At the time in life when you will increasingly come to depend on that reliable support system.
Brian Irby 4 years ago
This is true. I don't think the guy was saying not to take any time off ever, just to be considerate of team members. I'm shocked (and will probably get severely voted down) that people had such a negative reaction to this post.
Load More Replies... AndyR 4 years ago
It makes me realise how badly off workers are in the USA. I'm lucky enough to get 30 days, plus bank holidays, and to work somewhere where we're encouraged to use all our leave. I've worked for firms who expected you to with crazy hours and for junior staff not to take leave. In my experience, the long term damage this approach does to your health and relationships isn't worth it.
Terka Červeňáková 4 years ago
Exactly. In m country the mandatory pto set by a law Is 20 days per year, but a lot of conpanies (including the one i work for) offers 25 days per year. And you Are OBLIGATED to use them in said year. We usually write our pto demands into calendar that hangs on the wall, so everybody knows when you plan to be away... It's great system
Load More Replies... Deborah B 4 years ago
There is one caveat to the responses to this: In some industries there will be a 'Busy Season' and you cannot shedule holiday in the busy season. In accounting, it's the two months running up to tax day. If it is an issue for your job, it should be a formal policy. Doesn't apply to sick leave and emergency leave, of course. I did audits, and had a manager who was very clear about sick leave. "This is our busy season. It's all hands, everyone does overtime, no holidays will be approved! So, if you are sick, I expect you to stay at home! If you think you might be well enough to work, then call in and work remotely, but Stay. At. Home! We do not want your germs. This is our busy season. We cannot have a whole audit team off sick. So if you are sick: Stay Home!"
Mimi777 4 years ago
A few years ago when I was at my old job I took 2 weeks off because I had surgery and needed to recover. My boss texted me 2 days after, asking if I could come back in soon that they really needed me. Another few days later he asked the same thing. I ended up coming in after only a week of being off because he made me feel so guilty for letting my team down and how they really needed me. I was still recovering. I should have known better.
Ryan-James O'Driscoll 4 years ago
I try to be considerate, and not book time off when I know it is unusually important that I am at work, but those situations are few and far between. Generally I just take it when I want it because that's what it is for.
Wilf 4 years ago
Never knew this 'don't take your leave entitlement' was a real thing until recently. I work in a publishing company in the UK and I recently took line management of a couple of people in the USA office. One of them had BOTH her parents go to hospital with Covid and she asked me whether she could take her entire annual PTO off to care for them when they got out- all three weeks of it. I said "absolutely not- you're not using your leave to care for sick parents- I'll sign you off on compassionate leave and you take as long as you need." She basically didn't understand what I was saying. She didn't know compassionate leave was a thing. She even asked me whether she would get paid for the time off! The US is positively barbaric when it comes to employment practices.
Death Metal Kitty 4 years ago
"How am I always the bad guy?" - If you have to ask that, you have to take a long hard look at the person you are.
Treessimontrees 4 years ago
Unlimited vacation is a relatively new thing which is awful. Take as much time as you want. But you know full well if you do it's frowned upon, or you're seen as not needed if you can take time off. People end up taking far less time than they would if they were given 20-25 days to use. Companies know this.
James016 4 years ago
When booking PTO I have a couple of understandings, book it as far in advance as possible and try not have my PTO clash with my manager's. One of us has to be around so we cant take time off at the same time. This does not include medical/family emergencies etc. Nothing unreasonable
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